A Heartbeat Away: A Thriller

by Michael Palmer Narrated by Robert Petkoff

Overview

The New York Times bestselling author and master of suspense delivers another novel at the crossroads of politics and medicine in this shocker of a thriller

On the night of the State of the Union address, President James Allaire expects to give the speech of his career. But no one anticipates the terrifying turn of events that forces him to quarantine everyone in the Capitol building. A terrorist group calling itself "Genesis" has unleashed WRX3883, a deadly, highly contagious virus, into the building. No one fully knows the deadly effect of the germ except for the team responsible for its development-a team headed by Allaire, himself. The only one who might be able to help is virologist Griffin Rhodes, currently in solitary confinement in a maximum security federal prison for alleged terrorist acts, including the attempted theft of WRX3883 from the lab where he worked. Rhodes has no idea why he has been arrested, but when Allaire offers to free him in exchange for his help combating the virus, he reluctantly agrees to do what he can to support the government that has imprisoned him without apparent cause.

Meanwhile, every single person in line for presidential succession is trapped inside the Capitol-every person except one: the Director of Homeland Security, who is safely at home in Minnesota, having been selected as the "Designated Survivor" for this event. With enemies both named and unnamed closing in, and the security of the nation at stake, Griff must unravel the mysteries of WRX3883 without violating his pledge as a scientist to use no animal testing in his experiments...and time is running out.
Tense, thrilling, and entirely plausible, A Heartbeat Away will make you reflect, wonder, and be truly afraid.

Editorial Reviews

MAY 2011 - AudioFile

Michael Palmer's latest will keep listeners’ blood pumping. The U.S. has secretly developed an aerosol that will kill those exposed to it within two weeks. The spray is stolen and released by terrorists at the Capitol during the president's State of the Union address. All but one in the line of presidential succession are in the Capitol, and all are likely doomed. Imprisoned Dr. Griffin Rhodes is brought in to find a cure and works hand in hand with WASHINGTON POST reporter Angie Fletcher. Robert Petkoff delivers a tense, exciting performance. He’s especially proficient as the crafty female Speaker of the House. Petkoff's virtuosity makes this thriller intense and as close to reality as one dares to think about. A.L.H. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine

MAY 2011 - AudioFile

Michael Palmer's latest will keep listeners’ blood pumping. The U.S. has secretly developed an aerosol that will kill those exposed to it within two weeks. The spray is stolen and released by terrorists at the Capitol during the president's State of the Union address. All but one in the line of presidential succession are in the Capitol, and all are likely doomed. Imprisoned Dr. Griffin Rhodes is brought in to find a cure and works hand in hand with WASHINGTON POST reporter Angie Fletcher. Robert Petkoff delivers a tense, exciting performance. He’s especially proficient as the crafty female Speaker of the House. Petkoff's virtuosity makes this thriller intense and as close to reality as one dares to think about. A.L.H. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940171895525
Publisher:	Macmillan Audio
Publication date:	02/15/2011
Edition description:	Unabridged

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